In a game where some Warriors fans might have been surprised by decisions on the court, Jimmy Butler demonstrated his trust in teammate Al Horford by consistently finding him with precise passes. Despite Horford’s recent struggles with shooting, Butler’s confidence in him never wavered during Golden State’s 114-83 triumph against Indiana.
Before this game, Horford had been in a shooting slump, having missed all seven of his attempts in the previous outing and not making a three-pointer since October 30. Nevertheless, Butler kept targeting him on the perimeter, recognizing Horford’s valuable contributions beyond scoring.
“As great of screens as he sets for me, and protecting everybody at the rim and making all the right plays, whenever he’s open, he gets the ball for sure,” Butler said.
Horford rewarded Butler’s trust, hitting all four of his three-pointers assisted by him. Reflecting on Butler’s support, Horford explained:
“Jimmy, right away, made it a clear point to look for me... He was still looking to kick it out and encouraging me to shoot the ball. The passes, you know, they were on the money.”
Besides his shooting, Horford's defensive presence was significant during his 18 minutes on the court. He contributed with three blocks and disrupted Indiana’s offense by being active in the passing lanes, helping to contain the Pacers even while they played shorthanded.
Author’s summary: Al Horford overcame a shooting slump with Jimmy Butler's key assists and strong defense, playing a crucial role in Golden State’s commanding win over Indiana.